August 29, 2017

"Perfect layers for a changing US market," Hendrix Genetics says

In a recent corporate blog post, Hendrix Genetics says that its layer breeds are ideally suited to the changing US market.

The demand for cage-free systems is growing, driven by animal welfare concerns. White birds are easier to manage in a cage-free environment. They produce a high number of first-class quality eggs. Hendrix Genetics' Dekalb White in particular thrives in "any system demonstrating outstanding laying capabilities".

With excellent livability and nest behaviour, the breed is social and shows less stress and feather pecking behaviour. All are particularly important factors in cage-free systems. Consumers in Europe have traditionally associated brown eggs/hens with cage-free production, and white eggs/hens with cage production. This perception is changing, says Hendrix Genetics. White birds are becoming the preferred choice in many European countries. The company expects that this will also happen in the US.

Hendrix Genetics' new layer hatchery which was opened in Nebraska, US in August has a capacity to produce 24 million female chicks per year. It will contribute towards meeting the "enormous demand for (Hendrix Genetics') layers in the US." Construction of the new facility began in September 2016 and is almost complete.

Key contract growers located near the new hatchery, will rear and house the birds during production. Hendrix Genetics is currently working together with eight contract growers in the Grand Island area. They have invested in 11 new barns to house the birds with a capacity of 40,000 birds for each barn. The Grand Island contract growers will complete this "national production hub" for Hendrix Genetics in the US.

Construction of the "production hub" will enable the company to meet another 10% of the total US layer market needs.